With more than 11,000 monthly searches for "autumn in Japan", the country's legendary fall colours draw millions annually - and the best way to see them is by train.
During Autumn in Japan, the country’s most popular viewing spots can become overwhelmed with crowds. Thankfully, Japan’s world-renowned rail network offers an entirely different perspective - gliding through tunnels of crimson maples and valleys painted in gold at a contemplative pace, which begs the question: Which journeys in Japan offer the most breathtaking autumn journeys? Eager to find out and provide our customers with the answer, our expert team at JR Pass.com has analysed the country's most scenic train routes, using factors including Instagram hashtags, reviews, and crucial seasonal weather data, to reveal Japan's most spectacular autumn rail experiences with the best viewing conditions.
Our Top Five Train Journeys for Autumn in Japan
To discover the best autumn trains in Japan, our experts first compiled a list of autumn train journeys in Japan featuring mentions of stunning foliage and scenic railroads, using sources such as Lonely Planet, CN Traveller, and Marvellous Escapes. Next, to get an understanding of how pleasurable each journey is, they analysed each train on Tripadvisor, noting its review score. Then, to determine which journeys are most likely to have the ideal crisp autumn weather, data on the average % of sunny and rainy days was collated from Climate Japan for the associated prefecture for each journey, combining averages for routes covering longer distances. Intrigued by tourists taking to Instagram to post about their trips, JR Pass noted the number of hashtags each train journey had. To round off the final factor, they utilised Ahrefs to determine the average global monthly search volumes each journey received. The data was then weighted to create a final index score. The list is below.
Japan’s Most Stunning Autumn Rail Journeys, Revealed
1. Oigawa Railway, Shizuoka
Claiming the top spot is the Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture, a nostalgic steam train journey with an impressive 4.6/5 TripAdvisor rating and over 17,900 Instagram posts showcasing its scenic beauty. This heritage railway winds through the Oi River valley, where tea plantations meet forests ablaze with autumn colours. With sunny skies for nearly half the autumn season on average (43.9%) and minimal rainfall (14.8%), the authentic steam locomotives provide reliable conditions for capturing the traditional countryside painted in autumn hues.
2. Sagano Romantic Train, Kyoto
Kyoto's famous Sagano Romantic Train secures second place, drawing massive global interest with over 30,750 monthly searches and 10,200 Instagram posts. This journey through Arashiyama bamboo groves transforms into a tunnel of golden foliage each autumn. With sunny conditions for almost half the season on average (45.6%) and low rainfall (13%), the open-air carriages offer excellent conditions for photographing the surrounding mountains in autumn's finest palette.
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